Portable dock

ABSTRACT

A PORTABLE DOCK CONSISTING OF A GANGPLANK ADAPTED TO BE CARRIED BY A SMALL BOAT AND TO BE EXTENDED BETWEEN SAID BOAT AND THE SHORE, SAID GANGPLANK HAVING LEGS AT BOTH THE SHORE END AND BOAT END THEREOF, ALL OF SAID LEGS BEING FOLDABLE AGAINST THE GANGPLANK FOR CONVENIENCE OF STORAGE, AND THE LEGS AT THE BOAT END BEING ADJUSTABLE EXTENSIBLE TO ENGAGE THE BOTTOM TO COMPENSATE FOR VARIABLE WATER DEPTHS, AND FOR IRREGULAR CONTOUR OF THE BOTTOM.

March 9, 1971 v. H. Gus-rm PORTABLE DOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mha n. 1v. 196e V. H. GUSTIN PORTABLE DOCK March 9, 1971 Filed Dec. 1'?,` 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n .MR

liY

United States Patent O W 3,568,451 PORTABLE DOCK Victor H. Gustin, Kansas City, Mo. (204 Queens Lane, Blue Spring, Mo. 64015) Filed Dec. 17, 1968, ser. No. 784,450 Int. Cl. E02b 3/20 US. Cl. 61--48 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable dock consisting of a gangplank adapted to be carried by a small boat and to be extended between said boat and the shore, said gangplank having legs at both the shore end and boat end thereof, all of said legs being foldable against the gangplank for convenience of storage, and the legs at the boat end being adjustable extensible to engage the bottom to compensate for variable water depths, and for irregular contour of the bottom.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in accessories for small boats, and has particular reference to a portable dock. In outings in small boats in lakes, rivers and the like, it is often desired to make landings in areas having no piers, docks or other landing facilities. In such circumstances, it is perhaps the most common procedure to beach the prow of the boat, whereupon the occupants either jump over the sides of the boat and wade ashore, or move to the prow of the boat and attempt to jump to shore. In either case they usually get their feet and legs wet, and the process is furthermore dangerous, particularly when jumping over the side, since often the depth of the water, and the character of the bottom, are not known.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is the provision of a portable dock adapted by size and weight to be carried in or on a small boat, and including a gangplank adapted to be extended from the 'boat to the shore, and including legs at both ends thereof to support it above the water level.

Another object is the provision of a portable dock of the character described wherein the legs at the boat end of the gangplank are automatically extensible by the release of a latch to seek and seat properly on the bottom despite variations in the depth of the water, and locked at any degree of extension by re-engagement of said latch.

A further object is the provision of a portable dock of the character described wherein the legs of the boat end of the gangplank lare sharpened to sink into the bottom to better anchor the gangplank against horizontal movement, and are provided adjacent their lower ends with transversely projecting feet whereby better to support the weight of the gangplank and to stabilize it against transverse tilting.

A still further object is the yprovision of a portable dock of the character described in which all of the legs may be folded compactly against the gangplank, for convenience of storage and transportation of the dock on the boat.

Other objects are simplicity and economy of construction, efficiency and dependability of operation, and applicability for use in various other usages in which a portable walkway may be desirable.

With these objects in view, as well as other objects which will appear in the course of the specification, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of a portable dock embodying the present invention, shown in operative relationship to the shore line of a body of water, with the legs shown extended for use in solid lines, and folded for storage in dotted lines,

3,568,451 Patented Mar. 9, 1971 FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the portable dock as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line III-III of FIG. l, with parts partially broken away,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line IV- IV of FI-G. 3, showing the feet extended for use in solid lines, and folded for storage in dotted lines,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line V*V of FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary inverted plan View of the shore end portion of the gangplank,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line VII-VII of FIG. 1, with parts broken away,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

Like reference numerals apply to similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 2 applies generally to the gangplank of the dock. As shown, visualized as about twelve feet long and one foot wide, although it may be of any desired dimensions in keeping with the general idea of being capable of manual handling, and of being stowable on a small boat. It consists of a planar top board 4, the upper surface of which my be roughened or covered by any suitable means, not shown, to provide a nonskid surface, reinforced by a pair of side Stringer boards 6 and a central Stringer board 8 extending longitudinally therebeneath.

The gangplank is adapted to be positioned with respect to the shoreline of a body of water 10 as shown in FIG. l, above the water level 12, so as to extend from the side of a boat, not shown, to the shoreline. The shore end of the gangplank is provided with a U-shaped leg 14, the ends of which are pivoted, as at 16, to bearing members 18 aixed to the bottom of the gangplank. Pivots 18 are coaxially horizontal and transverse to the general extent of the gangplank. Leg 14 is adapted to be pivoted downwardly and outwardly, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, to engage the shore and support the adjacent end of the gangplank above the water level. In this position, the side arms of the leg each engage and are supported by a block 20 affixed to the lower side of the gangplank. Leg 14 may also be pivoted inwardly and upwardly beneath the gangplank, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, for convenience of storing the dock in or on a small boat.

The boat end of gangplank 2 is provided with two legs spaced apart laterally of the gangplank and each designated generally by the numeral 22. Each of said legs includes a tubular upper portion 24 of square cross-sectional configuration pivoted at its upper end, as at 26, to a bearing member 28 aixed to the lower side of the gangplank. Pivots 26 are coaxially horizontal and transverse to the general longitudinal extent of the gangplank. Leg portions 24 are rigidly interconnected at thier lower ends by a horizontal cross bar 30.

Each leg 22 also includes an extension section 32 of square cross-sectional contour slidably telescoped into the upper section 24 of said leg, and extendable from said upper section by gravity. Each extension 32 is releasably locked at any desired degree of extension therefrom by a latch pin 34 disposed at right angles to the leg and carried for longitudinal sliding movement in a pair of guides 36 allxed to cross bar 30 adjacent said leg. The outer end of said latch pin projects through a hole 38 provided therefor in upper leg section 24, and into any one of a series of holes 40 formed in extension leg 32 in longitudinally spaced apart relation therealong. Each latch pin is resiliently biased toward its operative position by a coil spring 42 disposed thereabout, said spring bearing at one end against a washer 44 affixed to the pin adjacent the leg, and at its opposite end against the associated pin bearing 36.

The latch pins 34 may be retracted against springs 42, whereby to free leg extensions 32 for vertical movement, by means of a pair of cables 46 attached respectively to the inner ends of said latch pins. Said cables extend inwardly toward the midpoint of cross bar 30, and are trained respectively in opposite directions about a pair of pulleys 48 carried rotatably by ears 50 xed to said cross bar. The cables extend upwardly from said pulleys, and are both attached to a single cable 52. Cable 52 extends upwardly, is trained about a pulley 54 carried rotatably by a bearing 56 affixed to the gangplank so as to be disposed midway between and coaxial with leg pivots 26, and has its opposite end attached to one leg 58 of a bellcrank lever 60 pivoted at 62 to a bearing 64 fixed to the lower surface of the gangplank. The other leg 66 of the lever projects somewhat outwardly from the adjacent extreme end of the gangplank. Thus by raising lever leg 66 cables 52 and 46 function to pull latch pins 34 to their disengaged positions to release leg extensions 32.

Each leg 22 also includes a lower terminal portion 68 aixed to the lower end of extension 32 and forming a coaxial elongation thereof. The terminal portions 68 are of circular cross-sectional contour, and are provided at their extreme lower ends with sharpened tips 70. In spaced apart relation above tips 70, each terminal portion 68 has a cylindrical sleeve 72 mounted coaxially and rotatably thereon. Afiixed to said sleeve is a radially projecting foot member 74. In use, said foot members normally extend oppositely from their associated legs 22, as shown in FIG. 3 and in solid lines in FIG. 4, but may be pivoted by turning sleeves 72 on leg portions 68 to move into overlapping relation as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, for convenience of storage as will appear. This pivotal movement requires an angular movement of 180 degrees for each foot. A pin 76 fixed in each leg portion 68 extends radially outwardly through a peripheral slot 78 formed in the associated sleeve 72, whereby to permit the desired angular pivoting of the sleeves, but inhibits longitudinal sliding of the sleeves on leg portions 68. At one end of slot 78, that end thereof in which pin 76 is positioned when the feet 74 are extended oppositely as in FIG. 3, said slot is provided with an upwardly projecting notch 80 and a dawnwardly projecting notch 82, in either of which notches pin 76 may be engaged by sliding sleeve 72 longitudinally on leg section 68, whereby to secure the associated foot 74 in the FIG. 3 position.

Both of legs 22 must pivot simultaneously on their pivots 26, since they are interconnected by cross bar 30.

They may be thus pivoted to extend downwardly at right angles from the gangplank, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, or to lie substantially against the lower surface of the gangplank, as shown in dotted lines, for convenience of storage and handling. The legs are braced by a pair of braces 84 each extending angularly from points of said legs spaced below pivots 26 to points on the gangplank also spaced well apart from pivots 26. As shown, each brace consists of a pair of elongated links 86 and 88 pivoted together at their contiguous ends, as at 90. Links 88 are pivoted at their opposite ends, as at 92, to bearings 94 aixed to the gangplank, and the opposite ends of links 88 are pivoted, for example, on latch pins 34. When legs 22 are folded upwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 1, links 86 and 88 fold upwardly beneath the gangplank. When legs 22 are extended to the solid line position of FIG. 1, links 86 and 88 first move into a dead-center position in which they are axially aligned, then are urged slightly past said dead-center position by a tension spring 96 mounted on pivot pin 90 until the contiguous ends of said links abut at 98, thereby arresting the movement. This locks legs 22 in their extended position, since pressure thereon to the left, as viewed in FIG. 8, will only force the links more firmly into abutment.

The legs can again be folded to their dotted line position of FIG. 1 only by first manually pressing upwardly on pivot to move it to the opposite side of dead-center.

In use, the dock is normally carried on a boat with both leg 14 and legs 22 folded against the bottom of the gangplank as shown in dotted lines in FIG. l, for compactness and convenience of storage. At this time foot members 74 are in the dotted line position of FIG. 4 so that their outer ends do not project excessively from the sides of the gangplank. To place it in use it is laid generally horizontally on any convenient portion of the boat, preferably with the gangplank inverted, leg 14 is extended to its solid line position of FIG. 1, and legs 22 are pivoted at 26 to extend at right angles from the gangplank, in which position they are automatically secured by the previously described locking action of braces 84. Foot members 74 are then pivoted to project oppositely in the solid line positions of FIG. 4. If the dock is inverted at this time, the foot members will be secured in their extended positions by the engagement of pins 76 in lower notches 82 of slots 78. If the dock is not inverted, the feet will be secured by the engagement of pins 76 in upper notches 80 of slots 78. Then, with latch pins 34 still in their operative positions, the dock is placed over the side of the boat, at the same time turning it to an upright position, so that leg 14 engages and is supported by the shoreline, and so that the end of the gangplank carrying legs 22 is adjacent the boat. Leg 14, in its use position, extends somewhat below the gangplank, in order to support the corresponding end of the gangplank above the water level in the event it is not practical or possible to support said leg on dry land, but only in shallow water. Then, supporting the boat end of the gangplank manually at the desired elevation, leg 66 of lever `60 is raised to disengage latch pins 34 from leg extensions 32 as previously described, whereupon said leg extensions slide downwardly in upper leg sections 24 by gravity, until tips 70 of the leg contact and penetrate the motorway bottom, and feet 74 also engage the bottom, whereupon lever 60 is released to reengage latch pins 34 in the holes 40 of the leg extensions then opposite said pins, and the dock is ready for use. It is folded for storage on the boat by simply reversing the process already described. It may be moored either to the boat or to the shore, if desired, by any suitable ropes, cables or other connectors, although these elements are not essential to the concept of the present invention and are not shown.

It is of course desired that the portions of terminal leg sections 68 extending below feet 74 be fully inserted into the waterway bottom, in order effectively to secure the dock against lateral displacement. It is of course also desirable that feet 74 iirmly engage the bottom, since their considerably lateral extension provides good stability for the gangplank against lateral tilting. Therefore, if leg tips 70 do not fully penetrate the bottom when lowered by gravity as already described, and hence support feet 74 out of contact with the bottom, latch pins 34 may be reengaged by releasing lever 60, and a strong downward pressure exerted on the gangplank to drive tips 70 fully lnto the bottom and to move feet 74 firmly against the bottom. Latch pins 34 may then again be released, the gangplank lifted to the desired elevation, and the latch prns re-engaged to secure the gangplank at this elevation.

The variable extension of legs 22 of course compensates for variable depth of the water, and this depth may of course be substantially different depending on the contour of the bottom. Also, since each leg 22 extends independently of the other, they obviously may extend to different lengths, thereby compensating for sloping or irregularity of the bottom transversely of the gangplank.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be readily apparent that many minor changes of structure and operation could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

ll. A portable dock comprising:

(a) an elongated gangplank adapted to be extended between the shoreline of a body of water and a boat aoat in said water,

(b) a plurality of legs mounted on said gangplank at the boat end thereof, said legs being spaced apart transversely of said gangplank and adapted to extend downwardly through the Water to engage the bottom formation of said body of water, each of said legs including an upper portion carried by said gangplank and extending well below the water surface, and a lower portion slidably associated with said upper portion and movable downwardly with respect to said upper portion by gravity, whereby to adjustably vary the effective length of said leg, each of said legs being independently adjustable,

(c) spring-engaged latch means carried adjacent the lower end of each of said upper leg portions and operable when engaged to secure the associated lower leg portion selectively at various positions in its sliding movement relative to said upper leg portion, and

(d) manually operable means for releasing each of said latch means, said releasing means including an operating lever carried by said gangplank so as to be disposed above the water level.

2. A portable dock as recited in claim l wherein a single manually operable latch release means is operable to cor1 trol the latch means of all of said legs.

3. A portable dock as recited in claim 1 including a pair of said legs and with the addition of a foot member carried by the lower portion of each leg and extending radially therefrom in spaced relation above the extreme lower end of said lower leg portion, said foot members each being pivotally movable about the axis of its associated leg, whereby said foot members may be positioned to project oppositely from said legs to extend outwardly from the sides bf said gangplank, or to project toward each other in overlapping relation, each of said foot members also being axially slidable on its associated leg to a limited degree, and locking means operable by upward sliding movement of said foot member on said leg to secure said foot member against pivotal movement on said leg.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 872,498 l2/ 1907 Cleveland 24S-57X 2,948,121 8/1960 Karst 6l-48 3,043,109 7/1962 Erickson 6l-48 3,387,808 6/1968 Metcalf 24S- 188.6

I. KARL BELL, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. XR. 248-457, 188.6 

